Posts Tagged ‘monty roberts demonstrations’

These are but a few of the titles being lavished on Wallace the Mule these days. But Wallace was once homeless, wondering a village in Ireland. What is the story behind this great change of fate?

Wallace was brought to Monty’s demonstration in England as a seven year old with the story that he was found in a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland then was taken to a local animal refuge, eventually living at The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, England. Lesley Radcliffe, being a mule lover, adopted and took him home. Lesley brought Wallace to one of Monty’s demonstrations where he charmed Monty, who declared him very intelligent and ready to be ridden.

In 2014 Wallace appeared with Monty Roberts on Horse & Country TV. Introduced as smart and willing, Wallace willingly partnered with Monty, declaring to all that Join-Up® works on mules as well as horses.

Enter Christie Mclean to train Wallace, who seemed to take a liking to dressage. But when Christie tried to enter him in a British Dressage competition, she was told mules were not covered under the definition of ‘horse’ used by British Dressage and could not compete without a change of rules. British Dressage consulted with the FEI and updated their definition of ‘horse’ to match the FEI General Regulations:

‘Horse: Refers also to a pony or other member of the genus equus unless the context requires otherwise. A horse shall be born from a mare.’

Mules are indeed the product of a male donkey and a mare. Wallace and Christie performed for their first official British Dressage test at a competition scoring 67.6%, surpassing eight horses and gaining the winning ribbon. Wallace rose to international fame this summer after he became the first mule to be registered with British Dressage, and will be showing his moves at Monty’s demonstrations at Hartpury College in England on Friday, 19 October 2018 https://www.intelligenthorsemanshipshop.co.uk/collections/hartpury-college-19th-october-2018

Dressage legend Carl Hester supports Wallace The Great’s dressage career saying, “I started riding on a donkey so I’m glad British Dressage has taken this great opportunity.”

Monty Roberts also has an upcoming lesson series on the famous mule on www.MontyRobertsUniversity.com It is indeed a great year for Wallace the Great Mule!

You can keep up with Wallace’s adventures on his Facebook page, Wallace the Great.

MONTY ROBERTS AVAILABLE FOR SELECT INTERVIEWS:
The New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts is available for interviews.

MONTY ROBERTS first gained widespread fame with the release of his New York Times Best Selling book, The Man Who Listens To Horses; a chronicle of his life and development of his non-violent horse training methods called Join-Up®. Monty grew up on a working horse farm as a firsthand witness to traditional, often violent methods of horse training and breaking the spirit with an abusive hand. Rejecting that, he went on to win nine world’s championships in the show ring. Today, Monty’s goal is to share his message that “Violence is never the answer.” Roberts has been encouraged by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the award of the Membership in The Royal Victorian Order, as well as becoming Patron of Join-Up International. Other honors received were the ASPCA “Founders” award and the MSPCA George T. Angell Humanitarian Award and FEI’s Man of the Year. Monty was recently included as Horse and Hound Magazine’s Top 50 Horsemen of All Time. Monty is credited with launching the first of its kind Equus Online University; an interactive online lesson site that is the definitive learning tool for violence-free training.

JOIN-UP philosophies can be seen at work with both humans and horses across the world, from farms to major corporations. To learn more about Monty Roberts or the many applications of his Join-Up training methods, visit www.montyroberts.com . Horse Sense and Soldiers aired on Discovery Military highlighting the therapeutic effect that horses and Monty Roberts’ Join-Up® have on PTSD. Roberts has teamed with The Corporate Learning Institute to help transfer the key learning’s from his work to the workplace.

July 30, 2018 Solvang, California: Brooke USA, sister charity of Brooke, the official charity of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, has announced that renowned horseman Monty Roberts will be among their presenters at the games this September in North Carolina.

Monty Roberts, known as the “Man Who Listens to Horses,” is also an official Global Ambassador for Brooke. He has made it his lifelong mission to leave the world a better place for horses and people. Concurrently, for more than 80 years, Brooke, the world’s largest international equine welfare charity, has been dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and the families they support in the developing world. This aligned mission and Monty’s global impact on the welfare of equines was the impetus for Brooke USA to partner with Monty to present demonstrations of his work during the games.

Monty is perhaps best known for creating the revolutionary equine training technique called “Join-Up®.” He has won countless awards and received immense worldwide press coverage, put three books on the New York Times best-seller list, helped start Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s race horses in England and been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Zurich.

The demonstrations will take place on September 19th and 20th. In one, Monty will work with an American Mustang to demonstrate the “Horse Sense & Healing” program for veterans and first responders. Monty will demonstrate the power of horses to teach resiliency and trust by inviting a veteran with little – to no – horse experience, assisted by Monty and a horse to achieve “Join-Up.”

The second day Monty will demonstrate successful ways to work with a remedial issue in a horse.

The mission of Brooke USA is to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need. Working primarily through Brooke, Brooke USA funds scientifically proven, practical, sustainable and culturally relevant solutions to enormous equine welfare challenges.

The New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts is available for interviews.

MONTY ROBERTS first gained widespread fame with the release of his New York Times Best Selling book, The Man Who Listens To Horses; a chronicle of his life and development of his non-violent horse training methods called Join-Up®. Monty grew up on a working horse farm as a firsthand witness to traditional, often violent methods of horse training and breaking the spirit with an abusive hand. Rejecting that, he went on to win nine world’s championships in the show ring. Today, Monty’s goal is to share his message that “Violence is never the answer.” Roberts has been encouraged by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the award of the Membership in The Royal Victorian Order, as well as becoming Patron of Join-Up International. Other honors received were the ASPCA “Founders” award and the MSPCA George T. Angell Humanitarian Award and FEI’s Man of the Year. Monty was recently included as Horse and Hound Magazine’s Top 50 Horsemen of All Time. Monty is credited with launching the first of its kind Equus Online University; an interactive online lesson site that is the definitive learning tool for violence-free training.

JOIN-UP philosophies can be seen at work with both humans and horses across the world, from farms to major corporations. To learn more about Monty Roberts or the many applications of his Join-Up training methods, visit www.montyroberts.com . Horse Sense and Soldiers aired on Discovery Military highlighting the therapeutic effect that horses and Monty Roberts’ Join-Up® have on PTSD. Roberts has teamed with The Corporate Learning Institute to help transfer the key learning’s from his work to the workplace.

May 30, 2018 Solvang, California: Austria’s iconic Spanish Riding School invited Monty Roberts to Demonstrate Join-Up last year in July and now Monty is making the demonstrations available on his Equus Online University. Founded in 1580, this 450 year old institution had never before invited an outsider to demonstrate a different set of methods for starting and training horses, specifically the Lipizzaner Breed, well known as the famous white stallions of war. This is the roots of the discipline of Dressage.

The eight lesson series began on May 23 and will be weekly posted Wednesdays until July 11 but will remain on Monty’s Equus Online University site, available 24/7 as do all the 500+ lessons there now. A new lesson is added weekly.

“I never stop learning,” says Roberts. “And I don’t want any of my students to stop learning either! I want all of them to be much better than me. We are just scratching the surface of knowing how much horses can teach us.”

Launched in 2009, Monty Roberts and his team developed the first of its kind Equus Online University; an interactive online lesson site that is considered the most effective educational tool for horsemen on the web. It is established now that this learning system is the most comprehensive globally in horsemanship. It was important to Roberts not only to quantify the language of the horses he calls Equus, but also to share its interpretation with lessons from world renowned horse persons such as Stefan Peters and Jan Ebeling from dressage, Will Simpson from Olympic jumping and Phillip Ralls and Richard Winters from Western Reining.

Since launching, Monty Roberts, Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) and many more have contributed their knowledge of horsemanship. “Considered a rosetta stone for horse communication, one of gestures like signing for the deaf, online lessons are available 24/7 have contributed greatly to the encouragement and study of non-violent training of horses.” said Roberts. He wants the global impact to spread in his lifetime and encourages interested persons to log on at http://montyrobertsuniversity.com/library and have a free look around.

When Monty Roberts was invited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1989 to demonstrate his understanding of horsemanship, horse training’s 6000 year old tradition was forever changed. Roberts had cracked the code on the communication system horses used to survive for millions of years before humans had domesticated them. Roberts demonstrated concepts that drew a line at pain in training and his life’s goal is to leave the world a better place for horses and for people, too.

Debbie Roberts Loucks, Monty’s daughter, spearheaded the development, “We are first and foremost advocates for keeping horses in people’s lives. The more than 500 video lessons are in categories of Ground Work, from foundational to Advanced, and Ridden Work, from foundational to problem solving. And there is a terrific forum plus a searchable data base of over 600 Questions and Answers from Monty with a handy search bar.”

In 1948 while laying on his belly watching wild mustangs through binoculars in the Nevada desert, the 13-year-old Monty Roberts couldn’t imagine that what he was discovering about horses he would share nearly 70 years later in the famous Marble Hall of the 465 year old Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria before a full house on July 2, 2017. He became the first-ever outside trainer invited to demonstrate at the school.

In 1945, General George S. Patton and the United States Third Army learned that the Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School had been moved to St. Martins, Austria from Vienna. Patton was a horseman, having competed in the 1912 Olympic games, and declared he was putting the Spanish Riding School under the special protection of the U.S. Army; thus began ‘Operation Cowboy.’

On May 12, 1945, American soldiers acted on Patton’s order to protect the horses until the Lipizzans returned safely to the care of the Spanish Riding School in 1955. Said Patton, “It is probably wrong to permit any highly developed art to perish from the earth. To me, the high schooled Lipizzans represent an art equal to music or painting.” The world stood by transfixed on the massive task of saving these beautiful animals that captivated the world of horsemanship.

In 1949, a 14-year-old Monty Roberts was shown a documentary at Salinas Union High School during a class in agriculture about Patton and the famous white Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School. Roberts became obsessed with finding out more about the horses and the severe training he had seen on the film. The documentary was quickly buried due to scenes of violence in the training of the white stallions.

Patton had preserved the beautiful art form, which was the highest level of classical dressage. Soon after in 1953 Princess Elizabeth was crowned as the Queen of the United Kingdom and her love of horses was well known from about the age of four. Monty Roberts and Queen Elizabeth nurtured their love of horses without meeting and from a world apart. Some 36 years later in 1989, Queen Elizabeth read about Monty Roberts and invited him to Windsor Castle to demonstrate his concepts.

Queen Elizabeth clearly wanted the best for her horses. Whether they were Thoroughbred racehorses, military horses, carriage horses or simply horses she loved to ride, Her Majesty wanted them trained in the most respectful manner possible. The Queen endorsed Monty’s concepts of training horses without violence, causing them to rise to the highest degree of proficiency in their given discipline with the lowest possible stress.

Her Majesty observed five days of Roberts’ causing young horses to accept their first saddle and rider in about 30 minutes. It was then that the Queen requested a book about who Monty Roberts was and why he chose to reverse what had been the traditional ‘breaking’ procedures for 6,000 years. The publishers suggested the book would sell 3,000 to 5,000 copies, but, in fact, Her Majesty watched as Roberts’ first literary challenge reach six and a half million copies.

It has been with the Queen’s encouragement that Monty Roberts has now toured the world demonstrating his principles. In 44 countries Roberts has presented his audiences with over 11,000 horses. About 25 percent have been totally untrained, while 50 percent have been severely beset by behavioral problems. The remaining 25 percent simply refused to load in a trailer or truck used for transportation. All of these were successful in overcoming their given problem.

The horse is a flight animal whose relationship with man dates back about 6,000 years. Without the horse, Genghis Khan couldn’t have conquered more than twice as much land as any other person in history, crossing Eastern and Western civilizations in the process. Unlike other armies, the Mongols traveled with no supply train other than a large reserve of horses. The army was virtually all cavalrymen, who were expert riders and deadly with bow and arrow.

Dressage has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship and the military that trained their horses to perform movements intended to evade or attack the enemy while doing battle. The earliest writings about training horses were from Xenophon, a Greek Military Commander born around 430 BC. Xenophon is famously known for understanding equine behavior and the importance of gentleness and fairness with horses.

These seemingly contradictory qualities of horses as warriors and willing partners are at a crossroads in history and influential horsemen are coming together to explore the future of horsemanship in our cultures. The traditional Spanish Riding School, where the art of classic dressage education has been cultivated for more than 465 years, opened its doors for the first time inviting 82-year-old Monty Roberts to demonstrate his expertise in horsemanship.

On July 2, 2017 the world famous horse trainer was in Vienna to share his art of horse gentling techniques on a Sunday evening to a sold-out arena called the Marble Hall. The Lipizzan horsemen of the Spanish Riding School were present to observe Roberts. The Spanish Riding School brought Roberts five horses of different origins, one untrained, one to gentle, two with problems and one that refused to load in a trailer. One belonged to the Head of Communications for the School, Andrea Kerssenbrock.

“I’m in love with my horse and the bond between us became stronger than before this unique experience. I appreciate so much that we have had these days with Monty.” said Kerssenbrock, owner of Amos who was the first mount in the demonstration that night. She and her husband Franziskus von Kerssenbrock brought Amos for Roberts to train. “Amos behaved like a real ‘champion’ – relaxed and trusting. We’re supposed to take good care of him, the deeply impressed Monty Roberts gave us the way. We will!”

“I always wanted to go see the Spanish Riding School” said Roberts. “This was a pivotal day in my life. You could call it the pinnacle. I was 82 but I felt 12 years old!”
Each horse was dealt with in the absence of violence and all five met their intended goals.

While tracking wild mustangs in Nevada as a boy, Roberts observed a nonverbal communication between the horses, a silent language he would later call ‘Equus’. Roberts incorporates Equus into his nonviolent training approach called Join-Up®. Roberts first developed Join-Up to help teach horsemen how to stop the cycle of violence typically accepted in traditional horse breaking. Roberts created a consistent set of principles using the horse’s inherent methods of communication and herd behavior.

The result is a willing partnership in which the horse’s performance can flourish to its full potential, rather than exist within the boundaries of obedience. These principles are valuable tools to understanding what motivates horse behavior and increasing effectiveness in any application. Join-Up training methods are most simply expressed in the process of starting raw horses. Without the use of pain or force, the trainer persuades a raw horse to accept a saddle and rider in less than 30 minutes.

Monty Roberts has discovered that these principles are effective as a tool for dealing with many stress-related issues of the human mind. Roberts believes that PTSD is not, in fact, a disorder, but an injury. He states that it should be PTSI. His belief is that injuries heal and most people believe that disorders are challenges that do not tend to heal. Disorders require other forms of dealing with disorders of the human.

With these beliefs in place Roberts has been working with military veterans and first responders in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. More than 1,000 individuals have experienced the engagement of horses in the process of dealing with post-traumatic stress injury. The results of these clinics have been overwhelmingly successful and are gaining momentum throughout the areas where Roberts has conducted his clinics.

Chief Executive Officer Elisabeth Gürtler is the director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Ms. Gürtler was an Austrian champion in dressage and part of the Austrian dressage team at the CHIO (Concours Hippique International Officiel) in Aachen in 1979. As Chief Executive Officer she is responsible for the strategic development of the school and the representation of its traditions as the only institution in the world, which has practiced for more than 450 years.

“We were more than impressed that Monty Roberts agreed to demonstrate for the Spanish Riding School and tour the Piber Stud as well.” Gürtler told the audience of 44 press agents and board members of the Spanish Riding School.

On Monday, July 3, Monty Roberts was guest of honor at a luncheon and press conference inside the halls of the Spanish Riding School where the evening before he had demonstrated his mastery of horsemanship. Elisabeth Gürtler and the Director of the Stud Farm in Piber, Dr. Max Dobretsberger were there to honor and thank Roberts for his gesture of demonstrating his methods at the school.

The following day, July 4, Roberts was escorted to Piber to tour the Stud Farm where for over 400 years there has been a concerted effort to breed the Lipizzaner Stallions for the unique abilities of athleticism and intelligence representative of the breed and to make them fit for the famous Spanish Riding School.

“On Sunday, July 2, I provided my horse, Jonas, who did a Join-Up with Mr. Roberts that was very impressive. I am so pleased that we brought Mr. Roberts to the Spanish Riding School. The whole night was incredibly impressive.” said Dr. Max Dobretsberger.

He added, “On Monday, July 3, Monty Roberts was guest of honor at a luncheon and press conference inside the halls of the Spanish Riding School, where the evening before he had demonstrated his mastery of horsemanship. I, along with Elizabeth Gürtler, was there to honor and thank Mr Roberts for his gesture of demonstrating his methods at the school. My wife and I enjoyed giving him a tour of the stud and the mountain pastures. It was an enjoyable afternoon. My wife and I are both veterinarians and we want the best for the horses.”

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Photos available upon request

For further information and interviews, please contact in the United States Debbie Roberts Loucks, Roberts Legacy Strategist at debbie@montyroberts.com

For further information and interviews, please contact Andrea Kerssenbrock, Head of Communications Spanish Riding School, presse@srs.at

Monty Roberts has created Join-Up International, a 501c3 non-profit foundation. With his learning center on his Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang, California, he has produced a growing list of certified instructors globally. These facts insure that Monty will meet his life’s goal which is to leave the world a better place than he found it for horses and for people, too. www.MontyRoberts.com

This unique event helps you better understand problem solving using violence-free training methods. Come and spend time with like-minded people absorbing what non-violent communication can be. Enjoy discussions too with Monty and students from around the world. http://themovement2018.com/

“We are describing The Movement as Demonstrations, Discoveries and Pathways,” said Debbie Roberts Loucks who is managing the event. “A movement starts with a clear vision of a world different than the one we live in today. The presenters are each amazing in their own industries and they all have a vision of a better world, inspired by incorporating horses in their own story. They come to share that vision and build on it with participants who will take home a plan to change their lives too. Leaders may inspire, but only when people choose to act does a vision become a movement.”

“This two-day event is part symposium and part festival and will be lots of fun for those who appreciate horses. The Movement is the perfect environment for connecting with peers who know that horses have a lot to teach”, commented Pat Roberts, wife of Monty Roberts and co-host of the event. “You will learn how Monty keeps stress out of his life with horses, and how to develop the motivation and resilience to achieve your life’s goals.”
Monty Roberts, the New York Times bestselling author of The Man Who Listens to Horses will share his life story about overcoming barriers, motivating yourself and lowering your stress levels to achieve your goals. Other presenters come from backgrounds such as artists, a variety of horse trainers, authors, professors, Agility Dog Trainer, a film industry leader, an equestrian photographer, and noted horsewomen. http://themovement2018.com/presenters/

At the symposium, Monty and his Certified Instructors will work with a range of young and remedial horses. Participants will gain first-hand knowledge during demonstrations, lectures, and discussions. This event is for the novice rider, the non-rider, as well as the advanced student who wants to observe advanced horsemanship at work. There will be demonstrations on how to communicate with horses in their natural language in various situations.

The Awards dinner on Wednesday night features artists and the film festival screening. The menu for the evening film festival:
Dinner
Wild Arugula-Shaved Sweet Fennel-Red Onion-Orange and Toasted Pepitas Salad
IPA Vinaigrette

MONTY ROBERTS AVAILABLE FOR SELECT INTERVIEWS:
The New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts is available for interviews.

MONTY ROBERTS first gained widespread fame with the release of his New York Times Best Selling book, The Man Who Listens To Horses; a chronicle of his life and development of his non-violent horse training methods called Join-Up®. Monty grew up on a working horse farm as a firsthand witness to traditional, often violent methods of horse training and breaking the spirit with an abusive hand. Rejecting that, he went on to win nine world’s championships in the show ring. Today, Monty’s goal is to share his message that “Violence is never the answer.” Roberts has been encouraged by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the award of the Membership in The Royal Victorian Order, as well as becoming Patron of Join-Up International. Other honors received were the ASPCA “Founders” award and the MSPCA George T. Angell Humanitarian Award and FEI’s Man of the Year. Monty was recently included as Horse and Hound Magazine’s Top 50 Horsemen of All Time. Monty is credited with launching the first of its kind Equus Online University; an interactive online lesson site that is the definitive learning tool for violence-free training.

JOIN-UP philosophies can be seen at work with both humans and horses across the world, from farms to major corporations. To learn more about Monty Roberts or the many applications of his Join-Up training methods, visit www.montyroberts.com . Horse Sense and Soldiers aired on Discovery Military highlighting the therapeutic effect that horses and Monty Roberts’ Join-Up® have on PTSD. Roberts has teamed with The Corporate Learning Institute to help transfer the key learning’s from his work to

Vienna, 2017: The world-famous horse trainer Monty Roberts, also known as “horse whisperer”, stops on the 2nd July 2017 at the Spanish Riding School.
The Spanish Riding School is very pleased to be able to spontaneously invite Monty Roberts to a show at the winter school after his short visit in April. The world famous horse trainer will come to Vienna on the first weekend in July, where he will demonstrate his art of horse communication on Sunday evening. While the Lipizzan horsemen of the Spanish Riding School enjoy their summer holidays at the Heringsberg training center, Monty Roberts will be showing his program with horses of different origins.
The traditional Spanish Riding School, where the art of classic dressage education has been cultivated for more than 450 years, has opened its doors for the first time for a show of the now 82-year-old Monty Roberts. The man, whose understanding of horses is characterized by body language, demonstrates his method Join-Up® with four horses. Three classic horse themes will be shown – the start of a raw horse, the handling of terrifying horses and a loading operation.
Monty Roberts’ training is based on the natural behavior of Equus, the flight animal, which recognizes intent and will follow and work with a trustworthy horseman. Monty sees himself as gentler of horses who encourages all breeds to a trusting relationship with humans in all disciplines. Monty Roberts accepted his invitation to demonstrate at the Spanish Riding School with great joy for the opportunity. For him, as he says modestly, a dream is fulfilled. But also for the Spanish Riding School it is a great honor to welcome him as a guest.
Tickets are now available online at www.srs.at available here: http://www3.oeticket.com/srs/de/tickets/monty-roberts-wien-spanische-hofreitschule-466572/event.html
For further information and interviews, please contact Andrea Kerssenbrock, Head of Communications Spanish Riding School, presse@srs.at

Monty and Pat Roberts are pleased to announce three USA demonstrations in the coming months. The international growth of non-traditional and violence-free training of horses since 1996 when Monty’s autobiography The Man Who Listens to Horses was published, has drawn Monty to travel for over 25 years now. It is rare when Monty is able to demonstrate his mastery of horsemanship in the United States. His Flag Is Up Farms will host three events this spring and summer.

On May 13, Monty and Pat Roberts host NIGHT OF INSPIRATION

Your party will be welcomed to beautiful Flag Is Up Farms to watch Monty Roberts put a saddle and a rider on a horse for the first time. Witness first-hand the powerful relationship of trust and communication between a horse and a human. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner with New York Times Bestseller, ASPCA “Man of the Year” and Horse and Hound’s Top 50 Greatest Horsemen of All Time Monty Roberts and sculptress Pat Roberts in their hilltop home. This unforgettable event is great for the whole family.
The Night of Inspiration starts at 5:00pm, but if you would like to tour the Farm prior to the event, you are welcome to arrive early and walk the grounds on our 75-acre Farm. Our office will be opening at 3:30pm that day if you would like to pick up anything for the signing later that evening. There is horse training taking place daily, with many different breeds.

Monty will demonstrate his signature Join-Up®, starting a horse to his first saddle and rider in about 30 minutes. His history of starting horses since he was a young person inspires people to develop their skills in building trust and communication between horse and human. PRICE: $199 USD

On July 10-21, Monty will teach the GENTLING WILD HORSES: 10 DAYS

This course will give students the opportunity to use Monty’s non-violent methods with ‘untouched’ horses. Students will observe and have ‘hands-on’ lessons according to their levels of skill. They will work in the unique facility, the ‘IFA Untouched Gentling Pen,’ which is designed for the humane treatment of wild horses, and the safety of horse and handler.

Be part of the experience of horse’s first touch by human hand and of the process, which allows them to be haltered, led, groomed and have their feet picked up. It is a fantastic way to learn more about the nature of the horse, as ‘untouched’ horses are a very good ‘mirror’ to learn more about oneself as well. This course is open for everyone, but ‘hands-on’ sessions will be limited to the skill set of each individual. A Rosette of Accomplishment will be provided upon completing the course.

On July 31-August 4 Monty will teach the MONTY’S SPECIAL TRAINING: 5 DAYS

Witness what created a revolution in horsemanship and open your mind to a whole new perspective on your horse’s methods of communication and behavior. Experience what hundreds of students have discovered at Monty Roberts International Learning Center; a wonderful learning environment where you will enjoy the staff, meet new friends and return home with a better understanding of your equine companion. Every horse enthusiast can find lessons below to fit their interests.

A unique opportunity to be at Flag Is Up Farms with Monty, watching, asking questions and learning as Monty and a team of his Certified Instructors work with a range of young and remedial horses. By observing this renowned and gifted horseman, you gain first-hand knowledge during demonstrations, lectures and discussions. This class is for the novice, as well as the advanced student, to observe a master at work practicing his discoveries that have changed the horse world internationally.

Monty shares how to communicate with horses in their natural language in various situations during this intensive five-day class. This exclusive format helps you better understand problem solving using Monty’s violence-free training methods. Depending on the horses brought in to train that week, these issues may be a part of the course:

Spend time with like-minded people absorbing what non-violent communication can be. Enjoy the included lunch daily and share lively discussions with Monty and students from around the world as each day is full with learning.

Day 1, Monty’s Special Training

A super group representing horse lovers from about 10 countries came to Flag Is Up Farms for an educational experience spanning 5 days. On this first day of the clinic, I worked with Liger, a beautiful Arabian gelding destined for high achievements in endurance. The 3-year-old starter is owned by Heather and Jeremy Reynolds. He bucked like a kangaroo with the saddle but settled to a beautiful ride. Later I worked with a fine Arabian mare who did not want to be caught in the field. We also had a classic Join-Up with Trigger and much more fun and fascination on Flag Is Up Farms. Here is Liger on the long lines:

Day 2

We used a dummy rider before we introduced a live rider to our starter horse. In today’s session, Certified Instructors Denise Heinlein and Courtney Dunn demonstrated my concepts with Liger. Shopping bags, dummy rider and flapping legs helped this young horse become accustomed to a rider. Many older and more experienced horses would be challenged by plastic bags and floppy legs, but working in a low-adrenaline and safe environment supported Liger in his training. This horse has a wonderful mind and the demonstration was highly educational.

Liger on Day 2, outfitted with a dummy rider, is ready to go to work with Certified Instructor Courtney Dunn

Day 3

We began the horse work at the Untouched Horse Gentling Facility at Flag Is Up Farms. The broodmare in the video below was an older rescue with little prior handling. Certified Instructor Denise Heinlein excelled at timing and patience to bring this mare to a more peaceful place to end the session on. More on handling tomorrow.

Day 4

Today was a day made in heaven if you love horses and appreciate the ability to offer them a better life. We started with mounting block lessons – one of the most vulnerable times in a rider’s moments with a horse. After that, a rescued Paint took many skeptical moments before we were able to achieve a Join-Up and Follow-Up with this wonderful horse, literally on its way to the feedlot. It was emotional. Then, another session with the endurance Arabian, Liger, this time with a buddy horse in preparation for his first trip outside the Round Pen tomorrow. Lastly Ada Gates demonstrated some life-saving trims for your horse’s feet.

Day 5

Our last day was the culmination of so many wonderful training sessions. I was overwhelmed by the acceptance of the horses and the appreciation the students had for how far the horses had come. Starters, remedials and even babies taught us many things and gave us great moments to remember for a lifetime. Thank you to the MRILC Team of Instructors and all our staff for the super job creating an environment in which the student can learn. We hope to see you at Flag Is Up Farms next year!

Monty Roberts Announces Tour Dates on Three Continents, So Far, in 2013

Still Riding High from his Award for Service to Her Majesty and Praise for his work with Veterans Solvang, CA (November 30, 2012) – LEGENDARY “Horse Whisperer” Monty Roberts, just back from a tour that went from the end of September through November and crossed three continents and also a video appearance at the biggest country event in Brazil last week, Monty is excited to work again with veterans overcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on December 7-9 at his serene Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang, California.

The American trainer, whose gentle techniques are based on the silent language of horses, was made an honorary Member of the Royal Victorian Order. The Royal Victorian Order is given by the Queen to people who have served her or the monarchy in a personal way. In 1989, the Queen Mother was reduced to tears after Roberts managed to tame her wildest horse. Roberts has been involved with some aspects of the monarchy’s horses ever since. Then last summer Her Majesty also became Patron of the non-profit Join-Up International to help further Monty’s mission “to leave the world a better place than I found it for horses and for people too”.

After touring the globe for more than 20 years now, one would think that almost everyone has seen his live demonstrations in which he works with the local horses to overcome the biggest issues in the horse training industry. Yet more than half his ample audiences are new to the concepts of using the nature of the flight animal, Equus, to get breakthrough performance and cooperation. In the early 1990s Roberts toured England at the behest of the Queen to demonstrate

his methods. The novel The Horse Whisperer was being written in England during this time. In 1996, nearly simultaneously, Mr. Roberts’ autobiography The Man Who Listens to Horses and the novel The Horse Whisperer were published in England and immediately became bestsellers in non-fiction and fiction categories, respectively. Roberts’ autobiography remained on the New York Times bestsellers list for 58 weeks.

In December Monty will host another group of veterans with stress disorders and injuries and again in January 11-13, 2013. He will then host his annual Global Instructors Meet-Up at Flag Is Up Farms to teach innovations in his concepts. He will also host a group of up to 40 students flying in from Brazil for a special translated five day course February 5-9 regarding theory called Join-Up® Principles for Life. Then he flies to England to begin a four city tour February 16, 20, 24 and March 2. And in March 22-24 Monty will again host a Horse Sense and Soldiers for veterans.

In April Monty returns to Sweden for a live demonstration on the 6th at the Flyinge Equestrian Center famous for their progressive approaches to gentle and effective horse training. Monty also plans to demonstrate later this year in Germany, Brazil, Australia and other locales. It’s not easy to keep up with Monty Roberts, but it’s worth it to see a living legend, a master at the top of his skill and a passionate crusader for the horse.

You can also see a listing of the courses we run at Monty’s farm in California or take a course with one of his worldwide instructors in your area. Go to http://www.join-up.org/instructors/ to find a local certified instructor.